Operation Lifesaver ®

Operation Lifesaver ®

Operation Lifesaver is a national, non-profit public education program dedicated to ending collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-of-way.

This page provides highway-rail facts, driving tips and and Track Facts and Tips from Operation Lifesaver. After visiting this page we encourage you to visit Operation Lifesaver's Web Site.

Final 2000 Highway-Rail Facts

In 2000, at least 425 people were killed and 1,219 seriously injured in 3,502 highway-rail grade crossing collisions (combinded for public and private crossings). (Source: Federal Railroad Administration)

At least 463 people were killed and 414 were injured while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.(Source: Federal Railroad Administration)

Approximately every two hours either a vehicle or a pedestrian is struck by a train in the United States. That's 12 incidnets each day!

A motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle

There are approximately 255,000 public, private and pedestrian at-grade highway-rail crossings in the United States

More people die in highway-rail grade crossings crashes in teh United States each year than in all commercial and general aviation crashes combined

The majority of highway-rail crashes occur when the train is traveling slower thn 30 mph.

Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal--trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.

Operation Lifesaver Driving Tips

Never drive around lowered gates--it's illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or you local law enforcement agency.

Never race a train to the crossing--even if you tie, you lose.

Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is trhee feet wider than the tracks on both sides.

If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, immediately get everyone out and far away from the tracks. Call you local law enforcement agency for assistance. Look for a 1-800 emergency notification number nearby to contact the railroad.

At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.

ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.

Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That's 18 football fields.

Do not be fooled by the optical illusion--the train you see is closer and faster moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.

Track Facts & Tips

Railroad tracks, trestles, yard and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal--trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.

There are 200,000miles of railroad tracks in the United States.

Since 1990, more than 5,500 people have been killed while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.

Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train moving at 55 miles per hour, or an 8-car passenger train moving at 79 miles per hour, can take a mile or more to stop.

Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehciles (ATVs) on railroad tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels.

Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.

Do not hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. They are not designed to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges--there is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass.

Do not attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb, or your life.